Catherine Griwkowsky, QMI Agency

EDMONTON -- A chunk of downtown Edmonton's Westin Hotel wall came crashing down into the parking lot Sunday morning, snarling traffic and forcing guests and employees out of the building.

Karen Burgess, spokeswoman for Edmonton Fire Rescue Services, said a staff member called in around 10:11 a.m. saying a 15-by-20-foot section of the brick facade collapsed into the parking alley. On the inside, a pool was just above where the brick had fallen.

Emergency responders blocked off portions of downtown streets in the event that more of the hotel's wall came down.

The 251 guests in 72 rooms were told to leave the building.

Charlotte Coulson, in Edmonton as part of the Hockey Canada Century Tour, said several people on the team heard a loud noise and thought it was a clap of thunder.